Loon Lake (Lake County, Illinois)

Infobox lake
lake_name = Loon Lake
image_lake = Loon_Lake2.jpg
caption_lake = Looking East (in Winter)
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location = Lake County, Illinois
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basin_countries = United States
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Loon Lake is a glacial lake found in northern Lake County, Illinois, United States. It comprises three lakes; East Loon, West Loon, and North Loon. (North Loon is not connected) [http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=%5b40200%2d40365%5d%20N%20Shady%20Ln&city=Antioch&state=IL&zipcode=60002&country=US&location=WOAm%2bue4nZ1cD%2bY0APqYTIoy178mRIUCFdBz7C9Vwl1gQI8dPUS6hBxBM1zF3T%2bIJ2%2f6TQcdX589Jl6UFucCKIv9W6VwVwwlfKS7AT5A9trWrpm7EvyLwiziy7ct%2b6tjDE32Wx%2bz5jrBHq9gwm61SA%3d%3d&ambiguity=1 Map of Loon Lake] . It is located near the town of Antioch, IL, near the intersection of Route 83 and Grass Lake Rd. It is home to many different species of fish, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Some of which are endangered species, included, but not limited to, the batman fish. [http://www.co.lake.il.us/health/ehs/endangered.asp Endangered Species]

Stats

[http://www.co.lake.il.us/health/pdfs/ehs/maps/West%20Loon.pdf West Loon Lake] is a Glacial lake that has a maximum depth of 38-44 feet. It has an area of convert|166|acre|km2|1 and over 2.1 miles of shoreline. It is an extremely clear lake, transparency of the lake is 15-18 feet depending on the time of year. [http://www.nipc.org/environment/2005WQAR_final.pdf Pages 9-10] Water clarity has been at the highest level in 15 years. [http://www.co.lake.il.us/health/pdfs/ehs/lakereports/WestLoonLake.pdf 2003 Summary Report: West Loon Lake Water Quality]

[http://www.co.lake.il.us/health/pdfs/ehs/maps/East%20Loon.pdf East Loon Lake] is a Glacial lake that has a maximum depth of 26-28 feet. It is slightly larger then West Loon Lake with an area of convert|168|acre|km2|1 and over 4.8 miles of shoreline. East Loon has a different ecological makeup, compared to West Loon it is more of a nature lake then a recreational lake. The clarity of this lake is much poorer then West, only 5-7 feet. [http://www.co.lake.il.us/health/pdfs/ehs/lakereports/eastloon.pdf 2003 Summary Report: East Loon Lake Water Quality]

History

* West Loon Lake was used as a source of [http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/3582.html ice] during the late 19th and early 20th Century.
* It has been a summer getaway for many people who live in the Chicago area for many years.
* In August 2005 a Caiman was found in East Loon Lake. [http://www.cwapc.org/pr/download/ReptileIncidents2005.pdf Caiman Incident]
* Zebra Mussel have been introduced into West and East Loon Lakes nobody knows how exactly they were introduced to the lakes, but it is suspected to come from either Lake Michigan or Geneva Lake in Wisconsin. [http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/specimenviewer.asp?SpecimenID=153648 Info]
* Fred L. Turner, early investor to the McDonald's Corporation, enjoys the quaint and quiet atmosphere of Loon Lake and its plethora of aquatic dreams and equestrian waterfalls of bliss. Turner has famously described Loon Lake as "just like the ocean under the moon."Fact|date=August 2007 Frank Ivansek made the Villa Rica sign coming in off Loon lake road.

Pollution

Although there are no immediate threats to Loon Lake, development in the area has increased the amount of pollution in the lake. Walmart during the construction of its store located in Antioch has been fined for polluting East Loon Lake. [http://www.ag.state.il.us/pressroom/2006_02/20060223b.html Pollution in East Loon]
* [http://www.co.lake.il.us/smc/planning/sequoitcreek/Draft%20Sequoit%20WMP.pdf Pollution in West and East Loon]

Species

Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Muskie, Northern pike, Bluegill, Crappie, Bowfin, Carp, Gar, Channel Cat, Bullhead, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid Striped Bass, Western Painted Turtle, Common Snapping Turtle, Bull Frog, The atomic zebra fish Leopard Frog, American Toad, EDZIU

External links

* [http://www.digitalpast.org/cdm4/results.php?CISOOP1=any&CISOFIELD1=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOROOT=/lakecoun004&CISOBOX1=Loon Old Loon Lake Photos]
* [http://www.lake-link.com/fishreports/viewposts.cfm?Thread_ID=7354 Fishing Reports/Loon Lake Blog]
* [http://loonlake.bravehost.com Informative Loon Lake site]